Arguably one of the most popular and consistent cricketers in international cricket, Virat Kohli has taken huge strides both personally and professionally to help Indian cricket scale new heights in the modern era. Ever since taking over the reins from MS Dhoni as Team India skipper, Kohli has transformed from being a prolific batsman to becoming a great leader for his side.

And the recent home series against Australia was surely a testimony to that. Hosting the Steve Smith brigade in five-match ODI series, Kohli-led India ran riot against the visitors to record an emphatic 4-1 series win. Even in the three-match T20I series, India dominated the proceedings and looked favourites to run away with top honours until the third T20I was called off.

While Kohli clearly managed to pip his famous rival Smith in the home series, his Australian counterpart finally has something to cheer for.

ccording to a recent study, Smith has beaten the Indian captain to claim the title of the highest-earning captain in international cricket. One of the world’s best batsmen, Smith bags a whopping $1.469 million an year, leaving behind Kohli who earns an approximate salary of $1 million.

Though Kohli – with his earnings from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), brand endorsements and IPL fees – continues to be the richest cricketer on the planet, but when it comes to sheer wages, Smith leads the envious list. To put things in perspective, Smith’s yearly salary is 20 times more than what Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer draws.

“At $23,380 per game, India’s Test cricketers are the most well rewarded across the world, earning almost twice of what an Australian cricketer gets for a home Test (Australia has different fees for home and away Tests),” an ESPNCricinfo report said.

“The figures are based on international cricket, and do not take into account player earnings from T20 leagues, other domestic engagements or endorsements,” the report added further.

Highest-Paid Cricket Coach

While Kohli might have fallen behind Smith in the cricketers’ list, Indian fans will be delighted to find out that Team India coach Ravi Shastri is currently the highest-paid cricket coach in international cricket.

Shastri, who took over the reins from Anil Kumble as Team India coach, draws a staggering $1.17 million – only less than what the top cricketers from Australia, England and India earns a year. Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann is placed second with a package of $0.55 million, followed by Trevor Bayliss – coach of the England cricket team – with an yearly package of $0.52 million.

On the other hand, the cricket boards in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are currently not in a position to pay their cricketers as much as other international sides. But, surprisingly, Bangladesh’s head coach from Sri Lanka – Chandika Hathurasingha – is paid more than any of the country’s top cricketers.

When it comes to Pakistan, the cricket board is paying their coach Mickey Arthur three times more than any of what their top-most cricketers are earning.

Worst Paid Cricketers

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is breaking the bank for Coach Mickey Arthur, their cricketers are sadly among the worst-paid cricketers in international circuit. A cricketer in Pakistan’s top contract will be an annual retainer at an yearly package of $74,014 – which is marginally less than the top contract for an Ireland player who bags $75,000.

“A player like Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s captain, will end up earning more in a year, of course — and he quadruples his base salary in 2017 — because he plays more often and plays across three formats,” the study claims.

While the absence of international fixtures at home has clearly hurt the Pakistani cricketers, the strained bilateral ties between India and Pakistan – which also led to exodus of their cricketers from the Indian Premier League (IPL) – has also led to a downfall in their yearly revenue.